BAY OF QUINTE (1853, Schooner)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: BAY OF QUINTE (formerly Neptune)
•Year of Build: 1853
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Bath, Ontario
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
•Builder Name: B.F. Davy or J.D. Beaupre
Power and Masts
•Number of Masts: 2
Hull Dimensions
•Tonnage (Old Style): 155 tons
Vessel Type
The Bay of Quinte, originally named Neptune, was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1853 in Bath, Ontario. Schooners like the Bay of Quinte were widely used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargoes such as wheat, timber, and other goods. This type of vessel was known for its versatility and ability to handle the sometimes difficult conditions on the Great Lakes.
History
•1854: The schooner was owned by Wade & Co. of Kingston, Ontario, and operated under the name Neptune.
•1860: The vessel was renamed Neptune and made voyages between Toronto and Halifax, transporting goods along this route. By this time, it was owned by Henry Wade of Kingston, Ontario.
•1863: The vessel was rebuilt in Kingston and renamed Bay of Quinte. At this point, it was owned by R. Gaskin of Kingston.
In November 1863, the Bay of Quinte was loaded with 7,500 bushels of wheat and sailing on Lake Ontario when disaster struck.
Final Disposition
On November 18, 1863, the Bay of Quinte went ashore in a storm at Salmon Point on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The schooner, heavily loaded with wheat, was unable to withstand the storm’s intensity and was driven ashore. The vessel was a total loss, but details of the crew’s fate are not recorded. The cargo was also lost with the vessel.
Located By & Date
There is no known record of modern-day recovery or exploration of the wreck of the Bay of Quinte. Its remains are likely buried or scattered near Salmon Point, Lake Ontario.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no navigational hazards related to the wreck of the Bay of Quinte. Salmon Point, however, has been a historically difficult area for navigation, with many wrecks occurring in this region during storms.
Resources & Links
For further research and context, consider these resources:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The Bay of Quinte’s wreck serves as a reminder of the dangerous conditions schooners faced on the Great Lakes, particularly when navigating heavily loaded and in harsh weather.
